Smith takes over as Oaklandvale School principal in Saugus

Thursday

The halls will come alive with the sound of music at Oaklandvale Elementary School under the direction of Principal Michael A. Smith.

“I would like to involve music in almost every aspect of the Oaklandvale,” said Smith, who was hired as the school’s new principal this summer, replacing Eric Jones.

Smith has always wanted to do something with music for a career. His love of music took root as a 9-year-old boy growing up in North Carolina who played piano and sang in the chorus.

That passion continues to this day. When he isn’t handing principal duties, Smith spends time singing for the First Class Wedding Band, running a DJ business and teaching piano/voice privately.

Becoming a music educator provided a way to stick with his passion and still manage to pay the bills, Smith said.

Smith earned a bachelor of science degree in music education from Winston Salem State University.

After a year of teaching in North Carolina Smith accepted a job as a music teacher in the Boston Public Schools.

A founding member of the Boston Arts Academy, Smith has taught music and chorus in several Massachusetts school districts over the past two decades.

While working as a chorus and piano teacher at Lynn Classical High School, Smith wasn’t happy with some of the decisions that were made at the school level. That experience persuaded him to try his hand at becoming a school administrator.

“My dad taught me don’t complain, do something about it,” Smith said. “I decided that I wanted to be a decision-maker.”

Smith went on to receive a master’s degree in school administration from Boston University and Cambridge College. He later spent a few years as the district director of curriculum and arts instruction for the Pentucket Regional School District.

While the work in the district central office was interesting, Smith discovered that he missed interacting with students regularly.

“I realized my calling was at the school level, being around kids, parents and teachers on a daily basis,” Smith said.

Smith accepted a job as a vice principal at a Brookline elementary school and kept looking for the perfect administrator post. He believes he has found the right fit at Oaklandvale Elementary School.

From day one the Oaklandvale School community has welcomed him with open arms, Smith said.

“Everyone is so friendly and helpful, and they are showing me the Saugus way,” Smith said.

As a principal, Smith said he loves being able to talk to students at lunch or in classrooms to hear what they are learning, or even what’s on their mind.

In terms of leadership, Smith follows the mantra “none of us know what all of us know.” He believes in including staff input in decisions and listening to feedback from parents and community members.

Besides embracing music in the school, Smith told the Advertiser he hopes to organize more community-based celebrations for Oaklandvale students such as on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

Oaklandvale School has such a diverse mix of students that Smith said he would like to hold an international night in which students can showcase their cultural talents.

Smith also has a knack at connecting with students. He owns more than 300 pairs of socks and will sometimes show youths the goofy images on his socks as a way to engage them.

For instance, Smith sported socks with pictures of pizza on them Wednesday because it was National Cheese Pizza Day.

“The kids love it,” Smith said. “They will come up to me and ask ‘Mr. Smith, what kind of socks do you have on today?’ It’s a way to really connect with them.”

Smith is excited to come to Saugus at such a transformative time in the district, with a new High School/Middle School set to open in 2020 and the future realignment to house a separate pre-kindergarten to grade two and grade three to grade five schools.

“This is a wakeup period for the Saugus Public Schools, it’s very progressive,” Smith said. “I like being on the cusp of change. My whole life has been that.”